Essential Information

Court reporters play a vital role in creating verbatim transcripts of legal proceedings, meeting and other activities. Individuals who have strong listening and concentration skills and who enjoy working in a fast-paced legal or business setting may want to consider the field of court reporting. Formal training is required to become a court reporter, usually through a certificate or associate's degree program.

Required Education

Certificate or associate's degree

Licensure or Certification

Required in many states

Projected Job Growth (2012-2022)*

10%

Average Salary (2013)*

$54,760

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Definition of a Court Reporter

A court reporter is a trained professional who creates verbatim, or word-for-word, transcriptions of legal proceedings, meetings and events. These individuals use various methods to record information, mainly stenography, electronic reporting and voice writing. Court reporters are responsible for the accuracy of these records. They may also provide real-time translation services to the deaf that may include closed-captioning.

Court reporters must have strong concentration and listening skills, and be comfortable using computer recording technology. They usually work in courtrooms, law offices and other business settings, and sit for long periods of time.

Educational Requirements

Formal training is necessary to learn about the technology, terminology and requirements needed to become a court reporter. Training programs vary depending on the method of recording chosen. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), it typically takes a year to become an entry-level voice writer, while it takes more than two years to become a stenographer (www.bls.gov). Students interested in receiving training may want to seek programs that have been approved by the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA).

There are associate's degree programs and certificate programs available for individuals interested in becoming a court reporter. These programs can be found on campus, online and as day or evening classes. Coursework may include shorthand editing and transcription, court-reporting procedures, legal and medical terminology. Students also become proficient in using computer-assisted transcription equipment. An internship may be required.

Licensure and Certification

Licensure and certification requirements vary by state. Some states may require court reporter program graduates to obtain licensure or a certification. States using the voice-writing method of court reporting offer three methods of national certification through the National Verbatim Reporters Association: the Certificate of Merit, the Certified Verbatim Reporter or the Real-Time Verbatim Reporter.

Continuing education is required to maintain certification. Some states may require court reporters to serve as a notary public. Additionally, they may be required to take a state test for certification.

Career and Salary Information

The BLS predicted that court reporters will see growth in employment opportunities of 10 percent between 2012 and 2022. The annual average wage for court reporters in May 2013 was $54,760, according to the BLS. Wages varied by level of certification, job location and whether the court reporter work was employed full-time or worked freelance.